Central Catholic boys basketball overwhelms Grant in 6A quarterfinals with 75-55 win

For more coverage of state basketball, head to this link to read about Benson boys basketball upsetting Clackamas or this link to read about Parkrose boys advancing in the 5A state tournament.

ST. JOHNS – It was a clash between two Portland champions, with the Mt. Hood Conference champs Central Catholic boys basketball squaring off against PIL co-champs Grant in the quarterfinals of the 6A state tournament on Wednesday, March 11 at the Chiles Center.

At the end of 32 minutes of play, there was little doubt who the stronger team was on the night. Central Catholic (23-5) ran away with the win in the second half, winning 75-55 to advance to the semifinals against old rival Jesuit (21-7).

Grant took control early in the first quarter, jumping out to a 10-4 lead with seven of those 10 points coming from freshman Abraham Cogan. But with two minutes to go in the frame, Central Catholic battled its way back to tie the game 11-11 by the time the horn sounded.

The second quarter was a mirror of the first. Grant exploded out of the gate to take a 20-11 lead, but once again the Rams chipped away. Rams senior Jalen Nicholson had seven points in the quarter, and junior Malcom Weatherspoon had five.

Going into the halftime break Grant led 28-26. The Generals physical play was the difference early, according to Central Catholic head coach David Blue. Grant forced its way to the foul line six more times than Central Catholic (14-8), forced 10 Rams turnovers, and notched six steals.

“They came out and competed, which I knew they were going to do,” Blue said. “They were physical in the first half, and in the second half we settled down. We were in foul trouble early and needed to play smarter and make sure we didn’t play into their hands. In the second half we did that and went on a run there.”

The start of the third quarter differed from the first two. Instead of Grant racing out to a big lead early, the two teams traded buckets, with Central Catholic finally catching a lead of 36-34 with 5:06 to go in the quarter it wouldn’t cede again. The Rams were led by senior Robbie Long III in the stanza; Long notched 16 points, four rebounds, three steals and an assist. His contribution was the largest of a 27-point quarter for Central Catholic, who led the Generals 53-38 after three.

Central Catholic wouldn’t let Grant any closer than 18 points in the final quarter of the game, and rode out the final eight minutes to win 75-55.

Nicholson led the Rams in scoring with 27 points, followed by Long III with 18, and senior Donovan Miller with 15. Blue said that his team’s ability to find the right man was key.

“We have five guys averaging double figures, six over nine,” Blue said. “They share the ball, play the game in the right way, every night is going to be somebody different.”

For Grant, Cogan was the top scorer, recording 15 points. After him, sophomore Malik Mason had 11, sophomore Jacob Harper-Grant had 10 and junior Josh Ortiz had 9.

Central Catholic and Jesuit play in the 6A state semifinals at Chiles Center on Friday, March 13 at 3:15 p.m. Jesuit upset Oregon City in the quarterfinals, winning 42-38 in overtime. Blue, a graduate of Jesuit, is looking forward to the matchup with the Crusaders.

“A matchup with Jesuit, seems like every year,” Blue said. “Always fun, always here at the Chiles Center and it’s always a battle. It’s gone both ways in the past, and I know Gene Potter and that crew are going to be ready and we will be too.”